It is widely acknowledged that early years recruitment has been a challenge since Covid-19. However, it is important to recognise that this is not unique to early years, and in fact has affected many different sectors. Local support is therefore available through the following schemes.
Apprenticeships are a positive way to recruit the new wave of early years practitioners into the sector. Worcestershire Apprenticeships | Helping young people and employers achieve through Apprenticeships (worcsapprenticeships.org.uk)
Both Heart of Worcester and Kidderminster college offer an early years T Level qualification, a 2 year qualification which requires 750 hours of work placement. Working with the colleges to provide placements could give you access to newly qualified staff coming into the sector. Further Education | Heart of Worcestershire College (howcollege.ac.uk) Kidderminster College Website
Worcester youth hub is based at the Hive in Worcester and is aimed at supporting those aged 15-24 by offering career support and guidance. Reaching out to organisations such as this may support your recruitment program. Worcester Youth Hub Launched at The Hive - Worcestershire LEP (wlep.co.uk)
Similarly, Worcestershire jobs is a website that you could use to advertise positions. Local jobs, apprenticeships and training | Worcestershire Opportunities (worcestershirejobs.co.uk)
Check an early years qualification service
Early years managers can now use the new check an early years qualification digital service to quickly verify whether staff qualifications meet the requirements for staff to child ratios in England.
The new service can be accessed at: Check an Early Years qualification
This free GOV.UK tool allows managers to check a qualification’s approval status by entering key details such as:
- course start date
- level
- awarding organisation
At the end of the process, a clear outcome is provided, which can be printed for your records.
Why use the new service?
Using the new Check an early years qualification service:
- saves time during recruitment and HR processes
- supports workforce planning ahead of the September 2025 expansion of funded childcare entitlements
- reduces confusion when checking qualifications
The service is tailored specifically for early years managers. All other user groups (for example practitioners) should continue to use the Early Years Qualifications List (EYQL) to check qualifications, and contact our supplier Ecctis if they are unable to find the qualification on the EYQL.
The check an early years qualification service is for qualifications achieved in the UK. Holders of non-UK qualifications should continue to contact our supplier Ecctis for an assessment.
If you need help using the service you can contact the Department for Education. Thank you for your continued support of the sector.